Ford Escape combines good looks with performance and fuel economy to continue a a benchmark in the compact crossover class

After the debut of a massively-changed Escape for 2013, few changes
would be expected for 2014. And while there are no major changes, there are
small improvements that make Ford's small utility vehicle (or is that
"smart utility vehicle"?) even better. A Class II trailer hitch can now be
had with the convenient "hands-free" tailgate. There is more leather on the
seats in premium Titanium models, and four-way adjustment of the front
passenger seat is now standard, as is a rear-view camera in all models. The
SYNC® connectivity package is now available with AppLink™, which
allows voice command control of mobile phone-based and other third-party
applications. And there are the usual changes to color choices and wheel
designs.

In the chassis and power departments, it's business as usual. Meaning
all four-cylinder power, 2.5-liter, 168 horsepower naturally-aspirated in
base trim, with 178-hp 1.6- and 240-hp 2.0-liter "EcoBoost" turbocharged,
direct fuel-injected options. All are matched to the six-speed SelectShift®
automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter handily beats the V6 of the previous
generation, with the same horsepower rating, more torque, and less weight.
Wondering where the Hybrid went? Take a look at the all-hybrid C-Max
lineup.

Trim levels are still S, SE, and Titanium. Even the S is well-equipped,
with SYNC and MyFord connectivity, a backup camera, MyKey programmability,
and the expected interior space and storage. Powertrain there is the 2.5
engine, front-wheel drive only. SE adds the 1.6 EcoBoost and available
all-wheel drive and/or the 2.0 EcoBoost, and more standard and available
comfort and convenience options. Titanium means power liftgate, further
standard features including upgraded audio and ambient lighting, and
options such as a panoramic sunroof and portable rear-seat DVD players.

2014 Ford Escape
Titanium

I expect that most Escapes sold are the S and SE models, which should do
very well for all everyday needs. This week's test car is a Titanium, in
"4WD" trim. That's a computer-controlled automatic single-range system,
really AWD, but as a nod to the Escape's history, Ford calls it 4WD.
Competitors do the same… In any form, the Escape combines unique
looks with comfort and a good amount of interior space over a small
footprint. As it's based on the same chassis underpinnings as the Focus
hatchback and sedan, it is a car at heart, good news in the comfort and
driving departments. It's taller and heavier than a Focus, so not quite as
nimble -- but the difference will likely only bother those who think "ST"
when the think Focus. As a crossover, the Escape is the modern version of a
small wagon, and fits that niche very well.

The 2.0-liter engine never has
any shortage of power, torque really, with a lovely, broad, strong torque
curve. Turbo engines are even more sensitive to driving style for fuel
economy -- use the boost sparingly, and you can get excellent mileage. But
it's all too easy to get caught in the rush of turbo power, and those
horses need to be fed. EPA estimates here are 21mpg city, 28 highway. I got
22 overall with little highway driving, which is competitive with other
similarly-sized crossovers. Add the towing package, and the 2.0 can handle
up to 3500 pounds, meaning small camping trailer or boat, or a motorcycle,
ATV, or personal watercraft or two on a trailer.

APPEARANCE: You could almost be excused for thinking that an Escape is
the current Focus wagon. There is much similarity in sculpted shape,
especially at the front, but, in the crossover fashion, the Escape's body
is chunkier and higher, for a higher seating position. It makes any
previous Escape look like the box it came in. It looks aerodynamic, and is.
Strong winds, a daily fact of life in my part of the world, bother it not
at all. The plastic "skidplate" in front is less that and more underbody
air management, with rubber deflectors at its trailing edge (and one air
scoop) and a mostly-flat underbody to ensure clean air management for
reduced noise and fuel consumption. Strong wheelarches and rubberized
protective cladding surrounding the lower perimeter are as close as the new
Escape comes to traditional SUV styling.

2014 Ford Escape
Titanium

COMFORT: Add space to a comfort-oriented seating position, good
visibility to the front and sides, enhanced to the rear by the rearview
camera, and plenty of headroom, and there is no surprise at the Escape's
popularity. Even the center rear position is useful -- if dependent on the
size of the outboard passengers -- thanks to a near-flat floor. There's
34.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat, or 68 with the rear
seat down -- which is easily done via levers on the outboard edges of each
60/40 seat part. Titanium means stitched leather seating and steering wheel
rim, front seat heat, and soft-touch textured door and dash panels. It's
all very stylish, and more than a little reminiscent of a Focus, but
function is not compromised. The electroluminescent main instruments are
well-shaded from glare and easily visible, with a useful information
display between the tach and speedometer. Controls for the information,
cruise control, audio, and phone systems are found on the steering wheel.
Those and the MyFordTouch touchscreen interface do have a learning curve,
but are no more difficult to decipher than any other current such
interface. Bonus points to Ford for also having good old-fashioned knobs
and buttons for climate control. All current audio choices are available,
including AM, FM, and Sirius/XM radio, CD, and USB and A/V jack inputs. The
touchscreen is also interface for the navigation system, and displays the
backup camera view in reverse. A space-saver spare is found under the rear
cargo floor, and liftover is lower than in many comparably-sized
crossovers. Ford's SecuriCode™ external keypad may be ancient
technology, but it's still useful. Going swimming and need a place to store
the car "key"? Keep it in the car and use the SecuriCode combination
lock.

SAFETY: All Escapes have Ford's Personal Safety System™ of airbags
and sensors, the Safety Canopy® System of full-length side curtain airbags,
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) electronic stability
control, integrated blind spot mirrors and more as standard safety
equipment. The BLIS blind spot monitoring system, which displays warning
lights in the outside rear-view mirror if a vehicle is in the blind spot,
is optional.

RIDE AND HANDLING: The Escape's long-travel, fully-independent
suspension is tuned moderately softly for a smooth, comfortable ride, even
on less-than-wonderful road surfaces. A high center of gravity and the
softish suspension mitigate any sport driving, but for that there's always
the Focus ST. An Escape is quieter and carries more stuff, and people. With
7.9 inches of clearance, it should work well on forest and fire roads, even
if they are slightly rutted. The all-wheel drive system can help there --
or anywhere, wet or dry. It automatically apportions torque to the wheels
that can use it, varying from pure front-wheel drive in most conditions to
all four wheels. This also eliminates torque steer, which with 270 lb-ft of
torque going through the front wheels could be more than noticeable.

PERFORMANCE: There's no need for a V6 when direct fuel injection,
turbocharging, and independent cam phasing on both input and exhaust
camshafts results in the same horsepower -- 240 (at 5500 rpm) and more
torque -- 270 lb-ft vs. the 3.0 Duratec's 223. As the old saying goes,
horsepower is what you brag about but torque is what you feel. The
2.0-liter EcoBoost engine's strong, broad torque curve means that gear
selection is rarely an issue, and the six speed automatic shifts smoothly
and quickly in D. It is programmed to maximize fuel economy, so can hunt
sometimes on grades. A shift to "S" ("Sport") mode cures that by holding
gears, with minimal effect on fuel use. Manual shifting, by means of a
rocker switch on the shift lever, can be done in S mode, but I found it to
rarely be necessary. As mentioned previously, fuel economy is good,
especially considering the available power. But more so with a turbo than
naturally-aspirated engine, driving style will influence mileage. Quick
acceleration is fun, but will make for a thirsty engine.

CONCLUSIONS: The Ford Escape combines good looks with performance and
fuel economy to continue a a benchmark in the compact crossover class.